January Partner Spotlight

Jan 04, 2013

Newton Medical Center Uses NDEP Resources to Promote the Theme, “Give Thanks! I
Can Help Prevent Diabetes in Myself” in Support of National Diabetes Month

Background

Newton Medical Center (NMC) is a not-for-profit facility dedicated to providing
health care services to residents of Harvey, Kansas and surrounding counties, regardless
of race, color, sex, age, religion or ability to pay. In support of National Diabetes
Month 2012, NMC partnered with community organizations and the NDEP to raise awareness
of diabetes and the importance of making lifestyle changes to prevent type 2 diabetes
or manage the disease to prevent complications.

Outreach and Promotions

Newton Medical Center and supporting partners sponsored several events during November
to promote the theme, “Give Thanks! I Can Help Prevent Diabetes in Myself.”

To kick off the month, NMC hosted Dinner with the Doctor, a diabetes prevention
panel discussion open to the general public that featured presentations by a family
practice physician, obstetrician/gynecologist, and Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE).
In addition to enjoying a diabetes-friendly dinner, attendees were able to ask questions
about type 2 diabetes prevention and receive educational materials. During the event,
NMC distributed NDEP’s Prevent Type 2 Diabetes. Step by Step., More than 50 Ways
to Prevent Diabetes, and It’s Never Too Early to Prevent Diabetes tip sheets.

To follow up on this effort, NMC arranged to have CDEs give a presentation to the
Chambers of Commerce titled, “Fifteen Minutes to Effective Carb Counting – Help
Prevent the Onset of Diabetes” and distributed NDEP’s More than 50 Ways to Prevent
Diabetes tip sheet.

Newton Medical Center also coordinated roundtable discussions with doctors and CDEs
targeting patients at risk for type 2 diabetes. Doctors mailed their at-risk patients
personal letters inviting them to join the roundtable discussions to talk about
steps they can take to prevent type 2 diabetes or manage it to prevent complications.
To guide the discussions, doctors used NDEP’s Prevent Type 2 Diabetes. Step by Step. tip
sheet and The Road to Health Toolkit.

Additional activities during the month included healthy cooking classes hosted by
dietitians, and collaborations with other health care facilities, ministries, and
community organizations to distribute NDEP materials to at-risk audiences.

Newton Medical Center promoted National Diabetes Month events via the
NMC website,
electronic signs at the hospital and along the highway, posters in the hospital
lobbies, and local media using resources from NDEP’s National Diabetes Month promotional
toolkit.